Program Reviews

The medical rotations were super rewarding. Really made me realize that i want to study medicine in the future.

Great sightseeing and tour component - really get to see every side of Ecuador.

The bonding experience with everyone in your month is incomparable. Made friends to last a lifetime :)

During my time in Ecuador, I kept a journal (something I highly suggest if you go by the way), and every day I took the time to write some of the new things that I learned. Here are some of the main things I took away from my trip to Ecuador:

1) I really felt I made a difference volunteering. Although the volunteering in Ecuador building houses for a small village was the main (and by far the funnest) part of the whole trip, I would say I became a volunteer basically right after the first meeting after receiving notice that I was accepted into the program. The first thing we got to do was create fundraising plans to raise money in order to buy the materials we would need to build the houses with. I served as the treasurer for my group, and so I personally got to see that the money we raised went directly towards making payments to the various shops and vendors in Ecuador that helped supply us with goods (like, right down to actually giving the money to the shopkeepers in person). It was also gratifying to see a place that was originally bare all of a sudden have brightly colored houses standing there by the end of the summer.

2) I made lasting friendships, not only with my fellow group members who did the trip with me, but also with some of the local adults and children who lived in Ecuador. To this day, I still keep in touch with people who now live in the houses we helped to build, and it's lots of fun to exchange stories with them about what's going on in our lives and hear about how they're doing! In addition, some of my group members are now my closest friends--I don't know, something about spending a whole month together and having to endure doing medical rotations and volunteering together really built a group mentality that I enjoyed. Above all, the feeling of being in a group and accomplishing something that we all love together is a great feeling.

3) I got to witness just how diverse a country like Ecuador is within itself. I don't think I've ever been on a trip in which you can travel to mountains, beaches, hot springs, rainforest (the Amazon!!!), farmland, and large cities all at the same time. It was certainly an amazing experience going to all these difference places! One thing about Ecuador that was a new experience for me was the altitude--sometimes the altitude changes we experienced while we were travelling by bus were significant enough that our water bottles would concave or slightly inflate!

4) I gained insight into the nature of the medical field. Before this trip, I had a thought that I might want to do medicine when I graduate, but after this trip, I now know that I WANT to do something in medicine when I graduate. While we were in Quito doing medical rotations and taking lessons, I loved every second of all the hard work we were tasked with. The medical rotations were some of the coolest things I've ever gotten the chance to do. We got to get a glimpse of basically all the main fields in medicine, including ER, OR, Pediatrics, radiology, Sports Medicine, and Internal Medicine. In addition, during the week of medical rotations we were split into groups and given a group research project, and I learned A LOT from doing that project. The coolest part by far was that the project was in the form of a patient case study, and so I got to experience firsthand what it would be like to diagnose a patient. Absolutely the coolest experience ever.

This trip became the best month of my life by far. From the crazy activities that created endless friendships to the unexplainable feeling you achieve by changing the lives of countless local families in need, this trip is an emotional roller coaster in the best ways possible. I couldn't have expected any more from what I got out of this experience. Nothing could ever compare to how this trip could change an individual.

Everyday there were activities going on that involved the group. The experience was so great and I loved it. I would do it again in a second. Building houses was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done! Also the medical rotations I got to take part in furthered my interest and drive to attain a medical career, however if you don't want to go to med school this program would still be absolutely amazing. I went down with an open mind for the program and I absolutely loved it and made some new life long friends. All the leaders and organizers of the program are enthusiastic and fun, they helped to make the trip even better! Absolutely no regrets about doing it and I would recommend it to everyone!

Everyone was amazing on this trip. I went in not quite knowing what to expect and had the most rewarding trip! It was fun, educational and we helped such amazing people - totally worth it!

The trip was fantastic but the fact that American Airlines struggled with delivering bags on time for several volunteers, I say fly with Delta from now on!

Travelling to Ecuador had to have been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Everyone was friendly, the program was well planned and I definitely got way more out of the trip than I expected. I still remember the feeling of giving away the houses to the people of Pallatanga. I was so grateful I had the opportunity to have such a positive impact on these peoples' lives. HLD is an awesome program and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

As a pre-medical student, I found that this program was perfect for me. It inspired me to continue my pursuit of medicine by giving me the opportunity to work in both public and private hospitals. It set the stage so that I could learn about the cultures of South America, and solidified my interest in helping others on an international level. I always felt comfortable and safe, and by working closely with peers, leaders and the owners of the program everyday, the atmosphere was always positive. Highlights: scrubbing in on surgeries, giving away homes to families, generating life-long friendships.

The staff did an amazing job at making sure everyone's personal needs were met- they definitely went above and beyond to cater to everyone! The group had a diverse set of personal needs- from food allergies/preferences to rooming preferences and I felt like all of my needs were covered! Furthermore, I felt safe with all of the leaders, the CEOs, tour-guides, the bus-driver, etc. They really look out for you!

In terms of their program- they definitely covered all that they offer! There is nothing hidden here. They give you exactly what they advertise- the Experience and the chance to help, to learn, and to discover!
I went in July on the pre-med program with the additional Machu Picchu week and I got all that I expected plus more! I was able to help a community in Pallatanga, Ecuador and it is an experience that goes beyond what words could express. I came in expecting to give to the community but they taught me so much more. And the CEOs were there the whole way- guiding us and teaching us how the community works. We worked hand-in-hand with the community and used materials that were sustainable/worked for their lifestyle. This was important for me... knowing that the CEOs came in and talked to the community beforehand... they had discussed what the community needs and what materials would best suit their lifestyles.
I definitely got to learn as well! In the pre-med program, we were given a Medical Booklet that we were required to study in its entirety. We then got to go into rotations in both a private and public institution. The group of us were split into different shifts and got to work intimately with Ecuadorian pre-med students/other doctors. We got to witness operations, had ER day and night shifts, OB/GYN day and night shifts, and were taught an immense amount of techniques, skills, etc. along the way. There were several work shops as well- we even got to learn/practise several sutures! The pre-med students were extremely helpful as well! They gave you a real picture of what it is like to work in the hospital and study at the same time.
And I discovered. I hiked through the jungle at night in Misahualli where the group of us were instructed to turned off our flashlights and listen to the orchestra of creatures that came alive in the dark. I remember looking up and seeing an unreal sky filled with stars (having both the northern and southern hemisphere stars.) These moments are irreplaceable and of course, priceless. I remember hiking up to the top of Huayna Picchu and staring out at the surrounding mountains- feeling so small and humbled. I was given the opportunity to surf in Canoa and I was able to swim in the ocean off the coast of Salinas.

I helped, I learned, and I discovered.
And I couldn't have done any of this without Ecuaexperience-HLD and all of the people that make it what it is. You can tell that this is their passion and that they love doing what they are doing. And THAT is what makes this the ultimate experience... the people that can not be replaced- the people of this program that dedicate their lives to giving you the real Ecuaexperience.

This was the best trip I have ever gone to. The medical shadowing was very educational - as were our case studies. Our volunteer project in Pallatanga helped many families get homes they could not previously afford. Also, the tours of Ecuador (hiking through the jungle, waterfall rappelling, seeing the equator, surfing in Canoa, stay at resort in Salinas) were beyond what I expected. This is a trip of a life time! Jose and Juan take very good care of their students!